Unsaturated acyclic hydrocarbons market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The market for unsaturated acyclic hydrocarbons in Germany showed considerable volatility from 2018 to 2024. Market size dropped sharply to $3 147 million USD in 2020, then recovered to a peak of $4 126 million USD in 2022. This expansion was driven in part by Germany's hydrogen policy, which gained prominence and funded projects at major firms like BASF and Salzgitter, stimulating demand for hydrocarbons as feedstocks for hydrogen and synthetic fuel production. By 2024, the market had contracted to $3 267 million USD, reflecting the mounting influence of national and EU decarbonization legislation on industry demand.

Regulatory measures consistently affected the market landscape. The national emissions trading registry, with allowances priced near €30 per certificate in 2022, increased compliance costs for producers. Furthermore, framework recommendations for water quality testing that specifically monitor dissolved hydrocarbons, issued in 2024, signaled tighter environmental oversight. These factors, alongside broader consumer behavior shifts during inflationary periods, contributed to a complex operating environment for the sector.

Production unsaturated acyclic hydrocarbons in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Germany's output of unsaturated acyclic hydrocarbons was valued at 2 694 million US dollars, marking a 13.7% year-over-year reduction.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports unsaturated acyclic hydrocarbons from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

Germany's exports of unsaturated acyclic hydrocarbons increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the export volume reached 1 035 thousand tons, reflecting a 12.7% rise compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.6%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 766 thousand tons, which saw the largest decline of 22.3%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 19.8% jump.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, France, and the Netherlands were the main destinations for Germany's exports of unsaturated acyclic hydrocarbons in kind. Belgium accounted for 35.5% of exports, France for 24.6%, and the Netherlands for 22.5%. Together, these three countries represented 82.7% of total exports in kind.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Germany's exports of unsaturated acyclic hydrocarbons in value terms declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 716 million US dollars, indicating a substantial 15.3% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 26.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 9.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Belgium, France, and the Netherlands made the biggest contributions to Germany's exports in value terms. Belgium accounted for 34.4% of exports, France for 26.1%, and the Netherlands for 21.0%. Collectively, these three countries represented 81.5% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020

Imports unsaturated acyclic hydrocarbons to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Germany's imports of unsaturated acyclic hydrocarbons in kind declined. In 2020, imports totaled 1 431 thousand tons, which is 23.2% lower than in 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 10.2%, with an annualized rate of 3.5%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 864 thousand tons, which also saw the largest increase of 14.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Belgium were the main sources for Germany's imports of unsaturated acyclic hydrocarbons in kind. The Netherlands accounted for 41.8% of imports, the United Kingdom for 14.9%, and Belgium for 10.0%. Together, these three countries absorbed 66.7% of total imports in kind.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Germany's imports of unsaturated acyclic hydrocarbons in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 1 169 million US dollars, down by 36.5% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 23.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 8.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 912 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 25.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Belgium remained the key partners for Germany's imports in value terms. The Netherlands accounted for 39.9% of imports, the United Kingdom for 15.7%, and Belgium for 10.5%. Collectively, these three countries represented 66.1% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020